What must a nation do to regain God’s favor. That’s no a bad question for Americans to answer today, but it was also a good question for the Nation of Israel to be asking in the time of Jesus. In fact, the sages spent a great deal of time pondering this question as we note from the Jerusalem Talmud. There, in Ta’anit 2:1, we read, “Rabbi Eleazar said: Three things annul [or mitigate] a harsh decree, and they are: Prayer (Tefillah), Charity/Almsgiving (Tzedakah), and Repentance (Teshuvah).” Jesus addressed all three in Matthew 6:1-8 & 16-18. And He did so with a theatrical theme.

While setting the stage in Matthew 6:1, Jesus mentions being “seen” by men. The Greek word translated as “seen” has its roots in the Greek word for theatre – theatron. In his opening statement Jesus is already telling the people that you don’t want to be just an actor on a stage. He then goes on to describe the people who do so by their rightful name – hypocrite – which, in Greek, meant an actor or a stage player.

He presents the juxtaposition of the hypocrites and those who do their good deeds – charity, prayer, and fasting – secretly with no fanfare nor public display. He further points out that by receiving the praise of people, the hypocrites have their reward in full. That’s all they get. Meanwhile, those who do their good deeds in secret are paid back by God Himself.

“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.” (Matthew 6:1 – MSG)

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, October 18, 2026. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons, which covers Chapters 5-7 in the Book of Matthew, is Kingdom Power: The Sermon on the Mount. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/kingdom-power-matthew-5-7-digital-study-guide/ . Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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